Project Kea update
Following a technical review of the resource consent application documents, we have requested further information from SIRRL to fully understand the proposal and the actual and potential effects. Read the letter.
Previous updates
Update: 6 September 2023
Councils welcome Minister’s decision to call in applications
JOINT STATEMENT - Attributed to Aurora Grant, Consents Planning Manager (Environment Canterbury) and Jonts McKerrow, Regulatory and Compliance Group Manager (Waimate District Council)
We are pleased the Minister agrees the resource consent applications for the proposed waste to energy facility in Waimate are a matter of national significance.
On 31 August, the Minister directed the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to take over the management of the applications, and the Environment Court to be the decision-maker on the overall proposal.
The Minster’s decision follows the request by both Waimate District Council and Environment Canterbury in June to call in the applications; and subsequent advice and recommendation by the EPA to call them in.
The Minister has also directed that the public notification on the proposal occurs without waiting for the lodgment of the outstanding water permit which the applicant, South Island Resource Recovery Ltd (SIRRL), still needs to submit.
Both councils will now be talking to the EPA about how the matter proceeds from here until the public notification, including the timing of the public notification, how we will work with the Environment Court and how the outstanding water permit is to be managed.
While the EPA takes over the management of the consenting process, both councils will still have a role in processing the applications and providing technical and planning support.
The public will still be able to make submissions, regardless of who processes the applications, as SIRRL has requested that the proposal be publicly notified.
There is no statutory deadline for when the Environment Court has to make the decision on the proposal following the public notification.
See the EPA's advice to the Minister, recommending the proposal to be called in - EPA advice and recommendation
See the Minister's decision - Minister's letter
Visit the Environment Canterbury website and Environmental Protection Authority website for more information on the proposal.
Councils welcome Minister’s decision to call in applications
JOINT STATEMENT - Attributed to Aurora Grant, Consents Planning Manager (Environment Canterbury) and Jonts McKerrow, Regulatory and Compliance Group Manager (Waimate District Council)
We are pleased the Minister agrees the resource consent applications for the proposed waste to energy facility in Waimate are a matter of national significance.
On 31 August, the Minister directed the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to take over the management of the applications, and the Environment Court to be the decision-maker on the overall proposal.
The Minster’s decision follows the request by both Waimate District Council and Environment Canterbury in June to call in the applications; and subsequent advice and recommendation by the EPA to call them in.
The Minister has also directed that the public notification on the proposal occurs without waiting for the lodgment of the outstanding water permit which the applicant, South Island Resource Recovery Ltd (SIRRL), still needs to submit.
Both councils will now be talking to the EPA about how the matter proceeds from here until the public notification, including the timing of the public notification, how we will work with the Environment Court and how the outstanding water permit is to be managed.
While the EPA takes over the management of the consenting process, both councils will still have a role in processing the applications and providing technical and planning support.
The public will still be able to make submissions, regardless of who processes the applications, as SIRRL has requested that the proposal be publicly notified.
There is no statutory deadline for when the Environment Court has to make the decision on the proposal following the public notification.
See the EPA's advice to the Minister, recommending the proposal to be called in - EPA advice and recommendation
See the Minister's decision - Minister's letter
Visit the Environment Canterbury website and Environmental Protection Authority website for more information on the proposal.
Update 9: 27 July 2023
Following on from the Waimate District Council and Environment Canterbury’s request to the Minister for the Environment to “call in” the Project Kea resource consent applications, SIRRL also sent a request to the Minister to “call in” their proposal. Until the Minister makes a decision, Council will continue processing the resource consent application.
You can follow this link for further information: Update: Waimate waste to energy plant resource consent applications | Environment Canterbury (ecan.govt.nz)
Update 8: 20 June 2023
Council to request Minister for the Environment 'call in' the consent application
In an Ordinary Council meeting today, Council unanimously adopted a motion to request the Minister for the Environment to “call in” the resource consent application process for Project Kea.
What does this mean?
The Minister for the Environment has the power to “call in” or take over any resource consent application which is deemed to be of national significance. The minister then can either direct the application to the Environment Court or appoint a Board of Inquiry to process the application.
Why did Council make this decision?
Council staff have identified that Project Kea meets several criteria to be considered a project of national significance, namely:
- Significant public concern or interest regarding its actual or likely impact on the environment
- Involves or is likely to involve significant use of natural or physical resources
- Involves or likely to involve technology, processes or method that are new to New Zealand and may affect its environment
- Could be or likely to be of significance under section 8 of the Resource Management Act
- Affects or likely to affect more than one region.
Council has considered the above reasoning, and the benefits and risks of moving ahead with the request. The application, if “called in”, will have better resources and technical experts to assist with the process. In its request to the minister, Council will also reiterate the need for local input and the opportunity for the community to have their voice heard.
Council wants to thank all the people who were present at the meeting today who voiced their views.
Update 7: 26 May 2023
Notification of land use consent application deferred
Environment Canterbury has advised that Project Kea will require a water permit to take up to 2500m3/day to run the waste to energy facility and this has not been applied for yet. In accordance with s91 of the Resource Management Act (RMA) the proposal has been put on hold awaiting this consent application.
As Waimate District Council does not want to cause public confusion and to minimise processing costs for the applicant, it is preferrable for the land use consent application to Waimate District to continue to be processed in tandem with the Environment Canterbury applications. For this reason, Waimate District Council will be deferring the notification of the land use consent application RM220066 until such time as the water permit application is received by Environment Canterbury.
Update 6: 15 May 2023
Hearing commissioner's decision received
About 7pm on Friday 12 May 2023 Environment Canterbury and Waimate District Council received the hearing commissioner's decision on the section 357 objection to the section 88 return of the South Island Resource Recovery Limited resource consent application.
The commissioner found in favour of the applicant. Read the full decision here.
Environment Canterbury consents planning manager Aurora Grant and Waimate District Council regulatory group manager Jonts McKerrow said, "Together we accept the commissioner's decision and will now continue to process the application. We will work with our partners within Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to ensure any concerns from the proposal are appropriately addressed."
Update 5: 11 April 2023
We were alerted late Thursday (April 6) that a hearing would be held for the section 357 objection to the section 88 return of the South Island Resource Recovery Limited resource consent application.
This is a joint hearing for Waimate District Council and Canterbury Regional Council.
Date: Tuesday 11 April 2023
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: Environment Canterbury Office Council Chambers - Ground Floor, 200 Tuam Street, Christchurch
There are no speaking rights, but you're welcome to observe via the link.
For more information on why we returned the revised application, please refer to the update below.
We are unable to comment further.
Update 4: 21 December 2022
Waimate District Council has returned the resource consent applications for a proposed waste to energy plant from South Island Resource Recovery Limited.
Overall, this is due to insufficient information being supplied regarding the proposed activities of the plant and their effect on the environment. This information is required under Schedule 4 of the Resource Management Act (RMA), with the application returned under Section 88(3A).
Environment Canterbury has also returned applications for the same proposal.
Both councils have informed South Island Resource Recovery Limited of the decision.
Update 3: 19 December 2022
Environment Canterbury and Waimate District Council have both received new applications from South Island Resource Recovery Limited for a proposed waste to energy plant in South Canterbury on 25 November 2022.
In October 2022, both Councils returned resource consent applications for the waste to energy proposal due to insufficient information being supplied.
We are currently working through the process of assessing the new applications for adequacy. In the meantime, the applications are publicly available for people to view.
To view the applications, click here: Consent search | Environment Canterbury (ecan.govt.nz). Key documents can be found under the 'related info' tab.
Update 2: 25 October 2022
Waimate District Council has returned the resource consent applications for a proposed waste to energy plant from South Island Resource Recovery Limited.
Overall, this is due to insufficient information being supplied regarding the proposed activities of the plant and their effect on the environment. This information is required under Schedule 4 of the Resource Management Act (RMA), with the application returned under Section 88(3A).
Environment Canterbury has also returned applications for the same proposal.
Both councils have informed South Island Resource Recovery Limited of the decision.
Update 1: 28 September 2022
Environment Canterbury has received resource consent applications from South Island Resource Recovery Limited for a proposed waste to energy plant near Waimate and is now auditing the applications before any public notification begins.
We received seven resource consent applications, on Wednesday 21 September, which contain numerous documents and supporting material, and this is now all available on the Environment Canterbury website for people to access. The ‘related information’ tab contains many of the key documents.
Aurora Grant, Consents Planning Manager, said the next step in the process is for the Environment Canterbury team to audit the applications.
“Our consents planners and experts will assess the applications and audit the Assessment of Environmental Effects in detail. This could take a number of months, as there are a significant number of technical reports to audit.
“The applicant has requested Public Notification from both Environment Canterbury and Waimate District Council so, once both agencies have completed the required audits, the proposal will be jointly notified and open for public submission. Members of the community will be able to make submissions and have their say during this part of the process.”
In the meantime, the applications are publicly available for people to view.
The relevant resource consent applications are:
- Earthworks CRC231559
- Use and storage of hazardous substances CRC231560
- Taking of groundwater for dewatering purposes CRC231561
- Discharge of construction-phase stormwater and dewatering water CRC231562
- Discharge of on-site domestic wastewater CRC231563
- Discharge of stormwater to land CRC231564
- Discharge of contaminants to air CRC231565
Environment Canterbury Updates
To view updates on the Project Kea resource consent applications lodged with Environment Canterbury click HERE.
